Why do kidney stones cause so much pain?

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Department of General Surgery and Anesthesia, Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Kidney stones cause kidney damage, increased pressure leading to pain and other uncomfortable symptoms for the patient.

At the beginning of stone formation and development, patients hardly have any obvious symptoms. It is not until the stone grows and causes pain that the disease is discovered.
Symptoms of kidney stones include:
Kidney stones back pain: Low back pain when there is a strong impact, strong activity, change of position; Urinary disturbances, discomfort when urinating; Abdominal bloating, abdominal distension; Nausea, vomiting; As the stones grow, there will be severe renal colic. The pain originates from the ureter points, descending below the pubic mound; Blood in the urine; kidney stones; Diarrhea, painful urination, urinary incontinence; Cloudy, purulent urine (if urinary tract infection).

The pain level of kidney stone patients depends on the size of the stone, the location of the stone formed, the condition of the stone. Therefore, some people do not feel any pain, some people have dull pain, some people have severe pain, cramping pain every once in a while. The pain appears in the lumbar fossa area, spreading to the abdomen and adjacent sites. If a patient has stones in both kidneys, they will experience pain on both sides at the same time.
The urinary tract in the body is likened to a water conduit system. Water travels from the kidneys to the ureters and then to the bladder and urethra. If there is a kidney stone, the stone can travel along the tube that carries water to anywhere in the urinary tract. No matter where the stone is, it can cause pain to the patient.

According to experts, the cause of pain in kidney stone patients is because the stone obstructs the urinary tract, increases kidney pressure, causing pain. Although the renal tubules do not have pain-sensing nerves, the tissues surrounding the tubules contain these nerves. When the renal tubules swell, pressing on these tissues, pain-sensing nerves transmit signals to the brain.
Besides, the stone rubbing against the kidney mucosa will cause kidney damage, kidney inflammation leading to pain. If the stone moves down the ureter, which is as narrow as 5mm in diameter, it can also cause pain.
The pain will have different characteristics, depending on the state of the stone of each person:
If the kidney stone is small in size, the patient only has mild pain in the hip and waist position. But if the stone is large, the patient also feels a sharp pain when changing positions or doing vigorous exercise; If the stone is in the ureter, the patient will have sharp pain from the abdomen to the groin and thighs; If the stone is in the bladder, there will be a feeling of tightness in the lower abdomen, mild pain. When the stone falls into the urethra, the pain is stronger and it is difficult to urinate. If the pain is unusually severe or beyond your tolerance, you need to go to the hospital right away for an examination.